When you think of the Tonight Show . . . you naturally think of Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, and this guy . . . Doc Severinsen. He was the leader the NBC Orchestra from 1967 to Johnny's last show in 1992. Sometimes, he served as Johnny's sidekick when Ed was away.Doc was in Decatur, Illinois, today at the Kirkland Fine Arts Center for the final stop on his last tour with his Big Band. I caught up with him as he left the hotel on the way to the venue. Doc looks pretty good for 80-years-old, wouldn't you say?
Friday night was a doubleheader. An early trip to Springfield netted a photograph and autograph from legendary folk singer John Prine. John was in concert that night at Sangamon Auditorium on the campus of the University of Illinois at Springfield. John was more the happy to
set down his dinner to sign, take pictures, and visit briefly with us. I asked him if he was planning to play my favorite John Prine song, "Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian." He didn't make any promises, but I understand from a very reliable source who was at the show, he did play the song and even mentioned our conversation a few hours earlier.Later that evening, I took a trip south to the Holiday Inn in Alton, Illinois, to await the arrival of a Supreme, Mary Wilson. Mary was in concert earlier in the evening at Argosy Casino. Just as I had been told, Mary arrived about 10 p.m. and was eager to sign autographs and take pictures for myself and three other autograph collectors. She thanked us all for waiting and wished us a great evening as she departed for her room.
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